Second-in-Commands Update

This week has been dominated by the planning and deployment of a Kandak/OMLT surge operation. As a result it is left to me to pen the Commanding Officers notes as he and the Tactical HQ have deployed along with OMLT 4 and some of OMLT 1 and the CSS OMLT. As part of the planning for the operation the 2IC, Capt Shan Shannahan, Capt Jon Toomey and the CO went to Bastion on Tuesday to link up with planning staff from Task Force Helmand and the other Battlegroups. At Bastion we finalised plans for the role of the ANA in the Task Force operation. On Tuesday night RSM Jon Miller and his team accompanied the CO and General Muhaiyodin to Gereshk to conduct Shuras with key local leaders to explain the ANA's plans for the forthcoming operation. They spent the night in the District Centre before heading off in the morning to the new Shura Hall, on the outskirts of Gereshk, to meet with locals, members of the local government and police.

Following the Shuras the CO and General Muhaiyodin flew to Lashkar Gah to discuss their plans with the Task Force Helmand Commander. Unfortunately, shortly after landing at Lashkar Gah, the weather deteriorated as a dust storm engulfed Helmand and prevented the CO from flying back to Camp Shorabak. As a result the CO and General Muhaiyodin missed the ANA orders for the operation. The remainder of the team based back at Shorabak, however were able to attend and observed Colonel Sarwar, the ANA Brigade Operations Officer, deliver an impressive set of orders to the assembled Afghan soldiers.

Thursday morning saw the ANA and OMLT deploy out of Camp Shorabak in a large convoy destined for the Danish Forward Operating Base known as Armadillo. At Armadillo, Maj Rob Armstrong and his team from OMLT 4 prepared for the operation which was to start the following morning. Since then the ANA and OMLT have made steady progress with the operation proceeding to plan. As these notes were being compiled, the CO had the opportunity to provide an update. He said that the operation was going well and that morale amongst the boys was high. Back in Shorabak, the Operations Room staff having been working long hours to ensure support to those deployed. Capt Gordy Mahood along with WO2s Robbie O'Farrell and Noel Pearson,CSgt Spud McCaw and LCpl Brendan Hanna have all been doing a sterling job with little respite. The CSS OMLT are also working hard to support the deployment with Major Nick Brady forward based in Armadillo and Captain Martin Leach and his team back in Shorabak to ensure that the support to Sangin, Musa Qal'eh and Gereshk continues.

Aside from operations the key event was undoubtedly the visit to Shorabak on Friday of General Bismillah Khan, the ANA Chief of the General Staff. The 2IC and RQMS Richard Sheridan, accompanied by Rgr William Bittles and his ever-present camera, were there to meet the General as he arrived in Shorabak. General Bismillah was briefed by the ANA Brigade Staff before heading to the Shorabak Hall where he addressed the soldiers of 3rd Brigade. Following a short visit to the ANA Dining Facility, where he watched the chefs produce traditional Naan, General Bismillah was picked up by helicopters for a short flight to some of the forward bases. His trip included stops at Sangin to meet with Maj Vance Crowe and OMLT 3 and finished by calling with Maj Dave Kenny and the team from OMLT 2. Overall it was an extremely successful day which boosted the morale of the whole ANA Brigade.

Best wishes to all of our supporters in Tern Hill, Market Drayton, Northern Ireland, the Republic and more broadly.

P A J WALKER
Major
Second in Command
1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment